Explosive Secrets in a Small Seaside Town
When retired forensic scientist Olivia Wells witnesses a deadly explosion at Patriot Cove's fireworks storage shed, she knows it's no accident. With the help of her remarkably intuitive golden tabby cat Newton, Olivia's quiet retirement transforms into an urgent investigation as the town prepares for its annual Fourth of July celebration. Despite official claims of a tragic mishap, Olivia's trained eye spots evidence of deliberate sabotage – and a killer hiding in plain sight.
As Olivia uncovers layers of deception among the town's most respected citizens, she finds herself untangling a web of professional jealousy, stolen innovations, and dangerous secrets. The mayor wants the case closed before tourists arrive, a suspicious hardware store owner sports unexplained chemical burns, and the victim's ambitious assistant harbors years of resentment. When someone plants evidence in Olivia's garden shed and leaves threatening notes, it's clear her investigation has struck a nerve – and the killer may strike again.
With Independence Day rapidly approaching and a second sabotage attempt discovered, Olivia must identify the murderer before more lives are lost. Newton's uncanny ability to find hidden clues proves invaluable as Olivia sets an ingenious trap to expose the truth. In this charming coastal town where everyone knows everyone's business but nobody saw the crime, it will take the unique partnership between a methodical scientist and her extraordinary cat to ensure justice prevails and the celebration ends with fireworks in the sky, not tragedy on the ground.
Genre: Mystery
When retired forensic scientist Olivia Wells witnesses a deadly explosion at Patriot Cove's fireworks storage shed, she knows it's no accident. With the help of her remarkably intuitive golden tabby cat Newton, Olivia's quiet retirement transforms into an urgent investigation as the town prepares for its annual Fourth of July celebration. Despite official claims of a tragic mishap, Olivia's trained eye spots evidence of deliberate sabotage – and a killer hiding in plain sight.
As Olivia uncovers layers of deception among the town's most respected citizens, she finds herself untangling a web of professional jealousy, stolen innovations, and dangerous secrets. The mayor wants the case closed before tourists arrive, a suspicious hardware store owner sports unexplained chemical burns, and the victim's ambitious assistant harbors years of resentment. When someone plants evidence in Olivia's garden shed and leaves threatening notes, it's clear her investigation has struck a nerve – and the killer may strike again.
With Independence Day rapidly approaching and a second sabotage attempt discovered, Olivia must identify the murderer before more lives are lost. Newton's uncanny ability to find hidden clues proves invaluable as Olivia sets an ingenious trap to expose the truth. In this charming coastal town where everyone knows everyone's business but nobody saw the crime, it will take the unique partnership between a methodical scientist and her extraordinary cat to ensure justice prevails and the celebration ends with fireworks in the sky, not tragedy on the ground.
Genre: Mystery
Used availability for Maisy Marple's A Bang-Up Murder